Macc S Action Against Daim Amounts To Abuse Says Mahathir

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Dr Mahathir Mohamad has questioned the MACC’s move to freeze overseas assets belonging to the late former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, reportedly worth around RM4 billion.
The former prime minister described the authorities’ drastic measures as a form of “abuse” against Daim and his family, especially given that no formal charges have been brought so far.
“What was (the late) Tun Daim’s crime? Did he steal? Is there any evidence that the money was stolen?
“If there is evidence, charge him in court,” Mahathir insisted at a press conference when asked to comment on the MACC’s action to freeze Daim’s assets, as well as those of his family and individuals believed to be proxies.
It is understood that these high-value assets with commercial interests are located in five countries besides the United Kingdom, with an estimated worth of at least RM4.5 billion.
Action to proceed
According to media reports, the action is expected to proceed because the MACC found these assets were not declared during investigations into the political leader.
The late former finance minister Daim ZainuddinThe five countries where the assets are reportedly held are the United States, Singapore, Japan, Italy, and Jersey - an island country located in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy, France.
Mahathir said freezing Daim’s assets “without a clear legal process” only raises questions about fairness and the rule of law.
He argued that any action against an individual must be based on solid evidence and a fair legal process.
“There are no charges, yet suddenly drastic action is taken by freezing his assets and his house. It’s like a form of abuse against him (previously), and now his wife, too.
“If he committed a crime, show the crime. If he did nothing wrong, don’t take abusive action against him,” he said.
Case background
Recently, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki confirmed that UK authorities had agreed to assist the MACC in imposing a prohibition order on assets and properties worth over RM700 million belonging to Daim’s family and proxies linked to him.
MACC chief commissioner Azam BakiThe application to the UK authorities was made after the MACC sought to amend several aspects of the prohibition order in court.
On June 3, three luxury residences in London were among seven properties and one bank account, collectively worth £132 million (RM758.2 million), allegedly owned by Daim’s wife, Na’imah Abdul Khalid, and family, that were frozen by the MACC.
The MACC’s investigation found that the movable and immovable assets were evidence related to alleged offences under Section 4(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001.
However, on June 23, the Kuala Lumpur High Court temporarily suspended the order after judge Azhar Abdul Hamid allowed an application by Na’imah’s lawyer, Gurdial Singh Nijar, to challenge the ex parte freezing order obtained by the MACC.
Two days later, the MACC filed an application in the High Court to forfeit Menara Ilham - a 60-storey tower located on Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur - which has been linked to Daim. - Mkini

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